Another Showdown with Oklahoma Softball

I do believe that this Auburn Softball team was destined to play Oklahoma again after the heart breaking loss in the World Series final last season. Auburn actually scored 2 more runs than Oklahoma in the series, but lost 2 games. I actually attended the first game that was shown on the big screen at the Auburn Softball field and Auburn lost a close one 3-2. Of course, the second game went Auburn's way 11-7 and Emily Carosone hit a game winning grand slam home run. Auburn trailed 7-0 after the second inning and scored 11 runs to win that game in the 8th inning. Game 3 was a pitcher's duel and Auburn lost 2-1. Coach Myers stated after the loss that "I am very proud of these young ladies that play softball at Auburn University. They gave their heart, their soul, their commitment. They battled. They were relentless."

These two teams know one another well and I expect to see some great softball in this series. Auburn did play Oklahoma to begin this season in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and won 3-2. Some players to watch for Oklahoma are Shay Knighten (infield), Sydney Romero (infield), Paige Lowery (pitcher), and Paige Parker (pitcher). Players to watch for Auburn are Kasey Cooper, Haley Fagan, Kendall Veach (she hit two home runs in the 3-2 game earlier this season), Alyssa Rivera, Victoria Draper, Carlee Wallace, Kaylee Carlson and Makayla Martin.

Auburn will be adding 200 portable bleachers to the outfield for this Super Regional so my normal seating and tailgate area in left field will no longer be free. That is the price of success. I can remember when Auburn could barely fill up the stands prior to the Clint Myer era and the games were all free.

The series will begin this Friday at 3:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Game 2 will be at noon CT and game 3, if necessary, will be at noon CT on Sunday on ESPN. Also, you can listen to the games on 95.9 FM and the Auburn app. Brit Bowen and Brad Law call the games and they make you feel like you are at the game.

Thank you Clint Myers for putting Auburn Softball back on the map and I look forward to watching these girls play in Oklahoma City again.